Using Generative AI at Minnesota State: Guidance and Approved Tools

Overview

Minnesota State provides direction on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure ethical, secure, and policy-aligned practices. This article includes:

  • A link to the official Minnesota State Generative AI Guidance document with detailed policy and legal context.
  • Information on authorized and recommended AI services available within the system.
  • A list of AI services blocked for security reasons.

Generative AI Guidance Document

The Minnesota State Generative AI Guidance (authored by Stephen M. Kelly and Mike R. Kutzke) offers insights into:

  • Intersections between generative AI and Minnesota State policies, including Board Policy 3.26 on Intellectual Property.
  • Intellectual property and copyright considerations, including the U.S. Copyright Office’s stance that AI-generated outputs fall into the public domain.
  • Ethical and governance issues related to AI use in educational settings.

This document serves as a foundational resource for understanding the broader context of AI use across the system.

Microsoft Copilot Recommendation

Minnesota State has authorized and licensed Microsoft Copilot for all students, faculty, and staff.

  • Copilot runs within the secure Minnesota State environment, protecting university and student data.
  • Data within the MinnState system is not used to train external AI models.
  • Some third-party AI applications pose risks to FERPA-protected and private information and should not be used.

Authorized and Recommended AI Services

When signed in with your StarID, the following AI-enabled services are authorized under Minnesota State contracts and meet required data security standards:

  • Adobe Firefly
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot (Work-based Chat)
  • Microsoft 365 Applications: Forms, Teams, Clipchamp, Power Automate, Reading/Search/Speaker Coach
  • Copilot Studio
  • Zoom AI Companion

Additional licensed applications (may require extra cost):

  • Microsoft Office Applications Copilot  (Windows and macOS)
  • Planner and Project Plan 3
  • Power BI

Disabled AI Services

The following services were blocked on July 3, 2025 due to data security risks:

  • Read.AI
  • Otter.AI
  • Fireflies.AI

These tools are disabled in the Minnesota State environment and should not be used for university-related work.

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